Sports

South Carolina wins 2nd in a row at SEC tournament, likely ending Arkansas' NCAA hopes 71-69

Associated Press
Published | Updated

South Carolina guard Duane Notice (10) works to keep the ball as Arkansas' Rashad Madden, Right and Arkansas guard Mardracus Wade (1) defend during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference men's tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) (The Associated Press)

South Carolina's Sindarius Thornwell shoots against Arkansas center Moses Kingsley (33) during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game in the second round of the Southeastern Conference men's tournament, Thursday, March 13, 2014, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) (The Associated Press)

South Carolina won its second straight game at the Southeastern Conference tournament, upsetting Arkansas 71-69 on Thursday behind 17 points from Sindarius Thornwell and likely knocking the Razorbacks out of the NCAA tournament.

The Gamecocks (14-19), whose only hope of making the NCAAs is to win it all in Atlanta, advanced to the quarterfinals Friday against Tennessee. Arkansas (21-11) will likely have to settle for an NIT berth.

After South Carolina went ahead 70-69 on Brenton Williams' free throw with 53 seconds remaining, Arkansas squandered two chances to reclaim the lead. Rashad Madden missed a floating jumper in the lane with 33 seconds left, and Bobby Portis couldn't connect in the lane with 3 seconds to play.

The Gamecocks missed three of their last four free throws, giving Arkansas one more opportunity. Madden's desperation heave from just inside the half-court line bounced off the back of the rim.